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. >> the fiscal cliff is the response to congress's inaction. that's the fact. the reason we're here is because we were unable to complete the business at hand. we postponed everything until the end of the year. the reason the tax cuts expire and the revenue provisions a part of that but also the spending cut that is are across the board in a haphazard way, that's congress's fault and where we are. i think the president's accurate in the way he described it. whether he should have articulated it, i leave that up to him but certainly the president has negotiated a deal that i believe will get the support of the majority of the house and the senate and i think we are going to get this done. >> how do you see this plays out as the clock ticks? is there enough time to get it done if it comes over to the house and if there's a delay or any kind of a hold-up or an objection, that's going to take us passed midnight. >> up to speaker boehner. assuming the senate is able to pass before they send it to the house then they'll walk it across the capital and if speaker boehn
. >> the fiscal cliff is the response to congress's inaction. that's the fact. the reason we're here is because we were unable to complete the business at hand. we postponed everything until the end of the year. the reason the tax cuts expire and the revenue provisions a part of that but also the spending cut that is are across the board in a haphazard way, that's congress's fault and where we are. i think the president's accurate in the way he described it. whether he should have...
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Dec 24, 2012
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is there the possibility of a little bit of a band-aid for most americans before the fiscal cliff? >> i think absolutely. and i think also congress can buy a little more time if because, you know, what this deadline is congressional imposed so the band-aid over to january 2nd, the vote counting, 60 senate, 218 in the house is really -- this is the fine tuning that's going on to get these two big numbers in the deals and, thomas, i think then we have to think to get the patch, will it be bet tore have it slop over to the new congress in january 3rd or have the lame duck votes? i think even a patch may be a tough vote unless it's very, very broad so you have a few alternatives to go but at least if you're thinking small not big, there's a way out. >> all right. so reversing that, bob, thinking big not small, is the white house hoping to achieve some type of grand deal or is that just out of window at this point with so little time left? >> yes, thomas. i think any hope of a grand bargain this month is out the window. and the heavy lifting will be done, i agree with lynn, in 2013. wit
is there the possibility of a little bit of a band-aid for most americans before the fiscal cliff? >> i think absolutely. and i think also congress can buy a little more time if because, you know, what this deadline is congressional imposed so the band-aid over to january 2nd, the vote counting, 60 senate, 218 in the house is really -- this is the fine tuning that's going on to get these two big numbers in the deals and, thomas, i think then we have to think to get the patch, will it be...
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. >> under current law on january 1st, 2013, there's going to be a massive fiscal cliff of large spending cuts and tax increases. i hope that congress will look at that and figure out ways to achieve the same long-run fiscal improvement without having it all happen at one date. >> there's still significant distance between the two sides, but negotiations continue. there's still time left to reach an agreement. and we intend to continue negotiations. >> and so, here we are, new year's eve, and the country counts down to popping champagne corks, the ball dropping in times square, and going over the fiscal cliff. if congress fails to act in the remaining hours of 2012, taxes will go up on all americans and a series of mandatory government spending cuts will kick in. hello, new year. hello, new recession. after two years of missing self-imposed deadline after self-imposed deadline, all eyes were on the senate over the weekend as the house's failure to even bring a plan to a vote left it up to the upper chamber to find a way out. vice president biden who had remained on the sidelines in this r
. >> under current law on january 1st, 2013, there's going to be a massive fiscal cliff of large spending cuts and tax increases. i hope that congress will look at that and figure out ways to achieve the same long-run fiscal improvement without having it all happen at one date. >> there's still significant distance between the two sides, but negotiations continue. there's still time left to reach an agreement. and we intend to continue negotiations. >> and so, here we are, new...
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Dec 29, 2012
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that whole fiscal cliff thing, where congress and the white house can't reach a deal on taxes and spending before the end of the year and they maybe get us into a recession, it's definitely happening. that was the whole point of president obama's press conference this afternoon. >> i still want to get this done. it's the right thing to do for our families, for our businesses, and for our entire economy. but the hour for immediate action is here. it is now. >> allow me a quick update here. that press conference, it came after president obama met with john boehner and nancy pelosi and harry reid and mitch mcconnell, so all the key congressional leaders. and listen to the president here. >> the american people are watching what we do here. obviously, their patience is already thin. this is deja vu all over again. america wonders why it is that in this town for some reason, you can't get stuff done in an organized timetable. why everything always has to wait until the last minute. well, we're now at the last minute. and the american people are not going to have any patience for a politically s
that whole fiscal cliff thing, where congress and the white house can't reach a deal on taxes and spending before the end of the year and they maybe get us into a recession, it's definitely happening. that was the whole point of president obama's press conference this afternoon. >> i still want to get this done. it's the right thing to do for our families, for our businesses, and for our entire economy. but the hour for immediate action is here. it is now. >> allow me a quick update...
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less than three days until the so-called fiscal cliff and congress still trying to hammer out a deal. they've had 515 days to work this out. still, though, capitol hill leaders are at an impasse and starting next week, you and i could see our paychecks cut as payroll taxes go up and that could be just the beginning. the clock at the bottom right of your screen there might as well have a blaringa, large on it because come midnight monday if lawmakers have not found the fiscal cliff solution you're going to hear a whole heck of a lot of noise. let's get straight to washington. nbc's kristen welker at the white house and luke russert is tracking developments at capitol hill and nbc news senior political editor mark murray is here to break it down for us from the washington bureau. we will start with kristen. last we heard, kristen welker, the president came out to report that he is modestly optimistic. has the rhetoric changed at all today? >> reporter: it has changed a little bit. the president is still modestly optimistic, but i just spoke with a democratic source who tells me at this
less than three days until the so-called fiscal cliff and congress still trying to hammer out a deal. they've had 515 days to work this out. still, though, capitol hill leaders are at an impasse and starting next week, you and i could see our paychecks cut as payroll taxes go up and that could be just the beginning. the clock at the bottom right of your screen there might as well have a blaringa, large on it because come midnight monday if lawmakers have not found the fiscal cliff solution...
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to compromise and get a deal done on the fiscal cliff? from washington to all around the country americans are fed up. >> this whole thing is a national embarrassment, an embarrassment to the president, an embarrassment to both sides of the aisle and both the house and the senate. >> the election is over. you got your seats. you're re-elected. congratulations. you have a job. now work and do it. >> fiscally irresponsible decision trying to please everyone and you please no one at all. >> they've got to work together. >> they appear to be very self-centered. >> joining me now retired admiral and former democratic congressman joe sestak of pennsylvania and msnbc contributor and former bush/cheney senior adviser robert trainum. kelly o'donnell has just reported some of the latest information. we heard there was progress overnight and we understand vice president biden and republican leader mitch mcconnell exchanged phone calls until about midnight and their aides then continued to work and we've been reporting the various areas of progress i
to compromise and get a deal done on the fiscal cliff? from washington to all around the country americans are fed up. >> this whole thing is a national embarrassment, an embarrassment to the president, an embarrassment to both sides of the aisle and both the house and the senate. >> the election is over. you got your seats. you're re-elected. congratulations. you have a job. now work and do it. >> fiscally irresponsible decision trying to please everyone and you please no one...
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Dec 26, 2012
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fears of falling off the fiscal cliff are fueling this pessimism. 45% think it's unlikely a budget deal will be reached between the president and congress. but nbc news's political director chuck todd says despite that possibility, going for a small, stripped down agreement isn't all good. >> i think politically, the president's making a mistake to go for a small deal. he'll lose leverage as the year goes on. he'll get a big political victory but he should try one more time for the big deal. you had nearly 200 house republicans about to vote to raise taxes on millionaires. >> joining me now, joe sustek and david winston. thank you both for being here today. i'll start with you, congressman. does the president's ability to get what he wants diminish over time? should he go big one more time? >> for the american people. it is not about him and his leverage. i think the president needs to try to reach the big compromise with speaker boehner and the two men came very close. they were a few hundred billion dollars away. we need $3 trillion in debt redust over a decade. we have $1 trillion of
fears of falling off the fiscal cliff are fueling this pessimism. 45% think it's unlikely a budget deal will be reached between the president and congress. but nbc news's political director chuck todd says despite that possibility, going for a small, stripped down agreement isn't all good. >> i think politically, the president's making a mistake to go for a small deal. he'll lose leverage as the year goes on. he'll get a big political victory but he should try one more time for the big...
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needed to reach a deal on the fiscal cliff by christmas. less than 48 hours until that cliff what does he think now? you are watching msnbc, the place for politics. when you have diabetes... your doctor will say get smart about your weight. that's why there's glucerna hunger smart shakes. they have carb steady, with carbs that digest slowly to help minimize blood sugar spikes. [ male announcer ] glucerna hunger smart. a smart way to help manage hunger and diabetes. >>> the self-imposed 3:00 p.m. deadline the senate came up with for a deal has come and gone which means without a last minute deal starting january 1st tax hikes and massive spending cuts will be in effect. extended unemployment benefits have ended. we will be live on capitol hill with the latest developments coming up in just a moment. before we take you over to capitol hill here are stories that we are monitoring for you today. a new york woman who allegedly admitted to pushing a subway commuter to his death has been charged with second degree murderer as a hate crime. police
needed to reach a deal on the fiscal cliff by christmas. less than 48 hours until that cliff what does he think now? you are watching msnbc, the place for politics. when you have diabetes... your doctor will say get smart about your weight. that's why there's glucerna hunger smart shakes. they have carb steady, with carbs that digest slowly to help minimize blood sugar spikes. [ male announcer ] glucerna hunger smart. a smart way to help manage hunger and diabetes. >>> the self-imposed...
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look at what congress actually did while they weren't working on the fiscal cliff. the senate confirmed two of the president's appointees and the house considered about a dozen bills including how to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the world war i and various aid and trade bills. here to give us an idea of what the congress is thinking is ed o'keefe. give us a run down. what has congress been working on and still need to do before this congress actually ends? >> it's kind of fascinating how these very modest measures that wouldn't get a vote gotten one because there's so much time on the clock still as they wait for the marquee legislative event of the year. there were changes to drywall standards. there was discussion there of the world war i commemoration which is coming up. two nominees confirmed over in the senate. two of obama's nominees. going back a few weeks, even just before christmas, there were some changes in policies at the tsa and screening baggage and judges confirmed and actually are some things that have gotten done but certainly not the big is
look at what congress actually did while they weren't working on the fiscal cliff. the senate confirmed two of the president's appointees and the house considered about a dozen bills including how to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the world war i and various aid and trade bills. here to give us an idea of what the congress is thinking is ed o'keefe. give us a run down. what has congress been working on and still need to do before this congress actually ends? >> it's kind of...
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. ♪ 29 and a half hours that is how long congress will have to avoid going over the fiscal curve on sunday night. >> if we go over the cliff, mr. president, the house of representatives as we speak with four days left after today with the first of the year, aren't here. i can't mamg they are out wherever they r and we are here trying to get something done. >> president obama called leaders last night and tomorrow afternoon we will meet with the speaker and mix mcconnel and harry reid to see if they can avoid going off the fiscal curb on january 1st. today harry reid emphasized that there is ome one reason why they are unable to reach an agreement so far. >> this has been going on for years. they cannot cross over the threshold. people are not propose iing mak the taxes like them. john boehner could not even pass the tax proposal he passed over there. he said no, can't do that. didn't he bring it up for a vote? >> tonight, speaker boehner's office put out this statement. >> joining me now are our guests. clearly the positioning game continues. harry reid saying we did our job months ago. do
. ♪ 29 and a half hours that is how long congress will have to avoid going over the fiscal curve on sunday night. >> if we go over the cliff, mr. president, the house of representatives as we speak with four days left after today with the first of the year, aren't here. i can't mamg they are out wherever they r and we are here trying to get something done. >> president obama called leaders last night and tomorrow afternoon we will meet with the speaker and mix mcconnel and harry...
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Dec 24, 2012
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let's talk about the fiscal cliff. are wire going e going to get a? >> we're going to get a small deal. it's a shame. you wonder is the only thing that could change things, the holidays, does it change boehner's mind? i think the president is making a mistake to make pa small deal. he should try one more time for the big deal. you had nearly 200 house republicans about to vote to raise taxes on millionaires. that means could you get it up from 400 to 750? a deal is within reach. he's got to figure out -- i think go one more time. they seem to have had it and they don't want to try boehner one more time but i think they're making a big mace take. -- making a big mistake. >> congressman, if he puts down a bill that requires democrats to get it pass, there will be a revolt. >> my frustration is with the democrats because the house republicans, our conscience is clear. in august we passed a bill to extend all of the tax rates. we did deal with the fiscal cliff issues weeks have passed that. it's harry reid and the president that have yet to come up with s
let's talk about the fiscal cliff. are wire going e going to get a? >> we're going to get a small deal. it's a shame. you wonder is the only thing that could change things, the holidays, does it change boehner's mind? i think the president is making a mistake to make pa small deal. he should try one more time for the big deal. you had nearly 200 house republicans about to vote to raise taxes on millionaires. that means could you get it up from 400 to 750? a deal is within reach. he's got...
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Dec 30, 2012
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as we all know from past battles, today's fiscal cliff fight is, sadly, typical. in fact, this congress is on track to go down as the least productive congress since recordkeeping began. in the course of nearly two years, the 112th congress has passed 219 bills that have actually been signed into law by president obama. but a lot of these laws were insignificant, things like the names of post offices. and a slew of bills passed by the house had no chance of passing the senate or getting the president's signature, like repeated attempts to repeal the affordable care act. the influence of the tea party lawmakers have been a clear factor. >> the tea party, which is not even on the screen about a year ago at this time, is a very domineering force. >> one story will be with us, the rise of the tea party. >> regardless of what those elites think, the tea party movement is authentic, grassroots movement. >> i wouldn't sell short these candidates. >> tea party americans, you're winning. >> it's a big mistake not to take it seriously. >> you think the tea party is here to
as we all know from past battles, today's fiscal cliff fight is, sadly, typical. in fact, this congress is on track to go down as the least productive congress since recordkeeping began. in the course of nearly two years, the 112th congress has passed 219 bills that have actually been signed into law by president obama. but a lot of these laws were insignificant, things like the names of post offices. and a slew of bills passed by the house had no chance of passing the senate or getting the...
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this car is too small. >>> while congress has been arguing over the fiscal cliff, the next big battle has already arrived. treasury secretary tim geithner says government borrowing hits the debt ceiling today. with me now, former new hampshire republican senator judd gregg. he's currently co-chairman of the campaign to fix the debt. senator, let's -- i want to start 50,000 feet, and we'll move down closer to ground level, but as a former member of the senate, we've now had two grand bargains, one around the debt ceiling, one around the fiscal cliff, seemingly, well, on the debt ceiling definitely, and on this one, seemingly fall apart. now that you're on the outside, are people right to be skeptical that congress can do anything? i hesitate to say big. even medium in terms of addressing our debt and spending problems? >> oh, they're absolutely correct in being skeptical, but congress can act. it has acted in the past. regrettably, it usually acts in crisis. for example, during the financial meltdown, when the entire banking system of our nation would have collapsed, congress did act.
this car is too small. >>> while congress has been arguing over the fiscal cliff, the next big battle has already arrived. treasury secretary tim geithner says government borrowing hits the debt ceiling today. with me now, former new hampshire republican senator judd gregg. he's currently co-chairman of the campaign to fix the debt. senator, let's -- i want to start 50,000 feet, and we'll move down closer to ground level, but as a former member of the senate, we've now had two grand...
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how did we get to the edge of the fiscal cliff and the least productive congress in history? >> the public is implicated in this. 2008 the public elected president obama, democratic house, democratic senate. 2010, a large number of people in the public changed their minds they got angry at us over health care, which was misunderstood, angry at us because we inherited a section that we weren't able to defeat because of their obstruction. in 010 -- in most democracies that would be it. we have a constitution under which it's called the staggered powers, checks and balances, the last three elections are there. the problem is in 2008 you had one group of people elected, in 2010, another. there wasn't simply the people in 2010 were conservative. very substantial number of the people elected as republicans in 2010 do not believe in governance. they do not understand there are things we need for the quality of life we have to come together. this isn't bob dole. this isn't howard baker. this isn't ronald reagan. these are people that are quite extreme. what's happened is that many re
how did we get to the edge of the fiscal cliff and the least productive congress in history? >> the public is implicated in this. 2008 the public elected president obama, democratic house, democratic senate. 2010, a large number of people in the public changed their minds they got angry at us over health care, which was misunderstood, angry at us because we inherited a section that we weren't able to defeat because of their obstruction. in 010 -- in most democracies that would be it. we...
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Dec 27, 2012
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tackle fiscal cliff. the most visible former elected official in the tea party and, of course, chairman of freedom works tried to oust several freedom works officials this fall. in fact, according to the post, army thieves control momentarily of the group. and he brought a gun carrying aide to remove rivals within the organization. but within a week, army was out. freedom works arranged an $8 million pay page for him. $8 million. that is more than the organization's entire annual budget in some years. over in the house, several tea party allies were recently stripped of their committee assignments by speaker boehner. so there are some problems there at the top. an influential conservative is lashing out. >> the tea party is going of to look at itself. it's been so helpful to the republican party in the past. it saved i by not going third party in 2010, helping the republicans sweep the house. but the tea party style of rage is not one that wins over convertes and makes people lean toward them and say, i w
tackle fiscal cliff. the most visible former elected official in the tea party and, of course, chairman of freedom works tried to oust several freedom works officials this fall. in fact, according to the post, army thieves control momentarily of the group. and he brought a gun carrying aide to remove rivals within the organization. but within a week, army was out. freedom works arranged an $8 million pay page for him. $8 million. that is more than the organization's entire annual budget in some...
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Jan 1, 2013
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>> well, this was a unique situation because we did have the fiscal cliff and we had a lame duck congress. what i think we have to start trying to do is return to what's called around here regular order. there really is no such thing in this congress. but what that means is that the committees actually consider the bills. and the thing that is really the challenge for us is to get republicans and democrats to be working on these committees, talking about the different issues and trying to come up with some compromises. right now, it's just an all-or-nothing proposition, and the republicans have the majority in the house and it's their way or the highway. the senate filibuster is a big impediment. and in the old days that people speak about with some respect, republicans and democrats had meaningful interactions all along the way, so in the end it wasn't just this cliff deal. >> isn't it interesting that two 70-year-olds who have been around for decades were the ones to at least finally get the quick fix done. but the president said the other day he felt a broader agreement could be reache
>> well, this was a unique situation because we did have the fiscal cliff and we had a lame duck congress. what i think we have to start trying to do is return to what's called around here regular order. there really is no such thing in this congress. but what that means is that the committees actually consider the bills. and the thing that is really the challenge for us is to get republicans and democrats to be working on these committees, talking about the different issues and trying to...
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. >> jill, if this fiscal cliff bill does get done is the new congress going to be more or less likely to work with the president on his second term agenda? >> well, the president is going to have more senators to work with, 55 as opposed to 53. that doesn't mean he'll have an easy time of it because republicans can block anything they want in the senate. it depends on what lessons if any republicans took from the election. i do think that the principle gap is very deep and so i'm not sure that we're going to see a kumbaya situation. but as i say, there are some advantages for republicans in making some compromises if they will see it that way. and particularly the demographic challenges. so, you know, ultimately i think the one thing to do is keep -- be realistic about the timetable. i'm not sure the president is going to get everything done that he wants to in 2013 but i would bet on immigration reform. maybe that's crazy and you'll have me back here and i'll have to say no i was wrong. i do think it's so much in republicans' self-interest. they've got some really good spokesmen on t
. >> jill, if this fiscal cliff bill does get done is the new congress going to be more or less likely to work with the president on his second term agenda? >> well, the president is going to have more senators to work with, 55 as opposed to 53. that doesn't mean he'll have an easy time of it because republicans can block anything they want in the senate. it depends on what lessons if any republicans took from the election. i do think that the principle gap is very deep and so i'm...
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whether those lines are used repeatedly over the next few days to reach a fiscal cliff deal is anybody's guess. joining me now for our daily fix, nbc's kelly o'donnell is live on capitol hill. kelly, i want to start with you. senator scott brown just tweeted out to all his followers that he was getting on a plane heading to washington. the president has apparently sent over a new deal to the senate. what can you tell us about this new fiscal cliff deal that president obama has sent over to senator leaders? >> well, the power of social media to get the word out. gop sources say in the conversation with the president, he indicated that he does have a bill he would like to bring forward to the hill today. they have not seen that. it would be a package to deal with averting the fiscal cliff. we can infer from that with what the president said before he went to the family vacation in hawaii that he wanted something that would be scaled down, not a massive grand bargain that would protect the current tax rate for people who earned less than $250,000 a year or perhaps a different figure if they
whether those lines are used repeatedly over the next few days to reach a fiscal cliff deal is anybody's guess. joining me now for our daily fix, nbc's kelly o'donnell is live on capitol hill. kelly, i want to start with you. senator scott brown just tweeted out to all his followers that he was getting on a plane heading to washington. the president has apparently sent over a new deal to the senate. what can you tell us about this new fiscal cliff deal that president obama has sent over to...
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cliff, individuals will see taxes go up by $2,000, there is a lot of pressure on congress and white house to take action. that pleasure is playing a huge role. >> kristen welker and kelly o'donnell, thank you, both. we continue our breaking coverage of fiscal cliff talks and what appears to he about a last-minute break through when we come back. please stay with us. ♪ [ male announcer ] why do more emergency workers everywhere trust duracell...?? duralock power preserve. locks in power for up to 10 years in storage. now...guaranteed. duracell with duralock. trusted everywhere. he loves risk. but whether he's climbing everest, scuba diving the great barrier reef with sharks, or jumping into the market, he goes with people he trusts, which is why he trades with a company that doesn't nickel and dime him with hidden fees. so he can worry about other things, like what the market is doing and being ready, no matter what happens, which isn't rocket science. it's just common sense, from td ameritrade. [ ship horn blows ] no, no, no! stop! humans. one day we're coming up with the theory o
cliff, individuals will see taxes go up by $2,000, there is a lot of pressure on congress and white house to take action. that pleasure is playing a huge role. >> kristen welker and kelly o'donnell, thank you, both. we continue our breaking coverage of fiscal cliff talks and what appears to he about a last-minute break through when we come back. please stay with us. ♪ [ male announcer ] why do more emergency workers everywhere trust duracell...?? duralock power preserve. locks in power...
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we are just an hour away now from the late es effort to avert the so-called fiscal cliff. the three-way stare down between the white house, the senate, the congress moves to pennsylvania avenue. president obama meeting behind closed doors with house speaker boehner, senate majority leader harry reid and senate minority leader mitch mcconnell talking about doing something to keep more than trillion dollars in tax increases and cuts from taking effect next week. also joining that party today, america's happy warrior. vice president joe biden will be there. while some appear ready to compromise others are still ducking, dodging, trying to dump the blame elsewhere. >> we all have our ideas and in the senate, you're right. we probably another 40, 50, 60 of saying that we're ready to both raise revenues and control entitlements. when's the missing ingredient? it is presidential leadership. >> i think in the end we'll get a deal. the question is the timing. >> am hopeful there will be a deal that avoids the worst parts of the fiscal cliff, namely taxes going up on middle class pe
we are just an hour away now from the late es effort to avert the so-called fiscal cliff. the three-way stare down between the white house, the senate, the congress moves to pennsylvania avenue. president obama meeting behind closed doors with house speaker boehner, senate majority leader harry reid and senate minority leader mitch mcconnell talking about doing something to keep more than trillion dollars in tax increases and cuts from taking effect next week. also joining that party today,...
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are we going to avoid the fiscal cliff by the first of the year or not? >> i hope so. if you look at the final positions last monday of both the president and speaker boehner, they were this close, they were this close to a solution. the president was about $200 billion higher on revenues, speaker boehner $200 billion higher on spending cuts. out of a $4 trillion budget, that doesn't seem insurmountable. so i hope they would keep talking. my one bit of advice to speaker boehner is this -- you cannot pass a bill with just republicans. on a broad thing like this, you need both and he has put himself with plan b in sort of an impossible position. he has to get these hard right guys to go along with him. if he were to say and the president were to say we're going to pass a bill with a majority of democrats and a majority of republicans in the house and senate the, we could get a mainstream bill. i know he's worried about his speakership but what i found in my 37 years as a legislator, when you show leadership, when you show redirection and courage, even people who disagree
are we going to avoid the fiscal cliff by the first of the year or not? >> i hope so. if you look at the final positions last monday of both the president and speaker boehner, they were this close, they were this close to a solution. the president was about $200 billion higher on revenues, speaker boehner $200 billion higher on spending cuts. out of a $4 trillion budget, that doesn't seem insurmountable. so i hope they would keep talking. my one bit of advice to speaker boehner is this --...
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if they don't, we are going off the fiscal cliff. it's where we stand now. >> you should vote your conscience, no matter what happens. you are an outgoing member of congress. you don't have to worry about re-electi re-election. many members of congress are doing what they believe their home districts want them to do. this is about self-preservation and getting reelected. are you in any different position? do you think they can look at this differently? >> i think you are in a lame duck session. it's a different dynamic. you have members that have lost and retired. yes, it's different in a lame duck than it would be before an election. this would be catastrophic for the country if we allowed it to happen. we have to have a deal in 36 hours. the people are committed regardless to doing the right thing for the country. it's what's most important. >> this is the way you wanted to go out with this mess? >> well, we could have handled it better. we are in this position because we mishandled it in the first place. we are where we are. i'm h
if they don't, we are going off the fiscal cliff. it's where we stand now. >> you should vote your conscience, no matter what happens. you are an outgoing member of congress. you don't have to worry about re-electi re-election. many members of congress are doing what they believe their home districts want them to do. this is about self-preservation and getting reelected. are you in any different position? do you think they can look at this differently? >> i think you are in a lame...
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. >> we were saying a lack of urgency in washington to deal with the fiscal cliff and being a member of congress especially a respected member of the senate and what do you think is possible at this point on any type of a large scale deal. what do you see as the most likely scenario moving forward. >> i don't think it's a lack of urgency, but a great deal of concern that republican party failed to do anything. it seems that in the house, boehner has no control over his extreme right wing faction. i think the american people are very clear about what they want. what they want is to ask the wealthiest people in the country to pay their fair share of taxes. there was a poll out the other day, 70% of the american people think folks making over $250,000 a year should pay their fair share. they understand that one out of four corporations are paying nothing. the american people are very, very clear throughout this election and in polling as well. do not cut social security, medicare and medicaid. you have the situation with republicans saying hey, we don't think billionaires should pay a n
. >> we were saying a lack of urgency in washington to deal with the fiscal cliff and being a member of congress especially a respected member of the senate and what do you think is possible at this point on any type of a large scale deal. what do you see as the most likely scenario moving forward. >> i don't think it's a lack of urgency, but a great deal of concern that republican party failed to do anything. it seems that in the house, boehner has no control over his extreme right...
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fiscal cliff, but is that optimism justified even if the senate can can come together and craft a deal? a very big if at this point and what are the chances that house speaker john boehner can get members of his congress to go along with the deal. joining me now perry bacon and lynn sweet. i want to start with you because i read something that you wrote an article recently in which you said basically that the rumors of the tea party's demise have been greatly exaggerated noting their key role in refusing to go along with john boehner's tax plan to raise taxes on those making more than $1 million a year. the fiscal cliff debate has illustrated then during influence of the tea party and the power of the conservative party. boehner can't guarantee that his members won't face primary challenges from the right so there's little surprise they won't follow his lead. >> mcconnell's not going agree to something that all other republicans are opposed to because he's a republican, too, and he has to worry about a primary, potentially, as well. the core of this is a lot of people are asking why wo
fiscal cliff, but is that optimism justified even if the senate can can come together and craft a deal? a very big if at this point and what are the chances that house speaker john boehner can get members of his congress to go along with the deal. joining me now perry bacon and lynn sweet. i want to start with you because i read something that you wrote an article recently in which you said basically that the rumors of the tea party's demise have been greatly exaggerated noting their key role...
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. >>> if the house manages to pass the senate bill on avoiding the fiscal cliff and that remains a big if it will represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the economic challenges facing the president and congress over the next several years. rick newman is chief business correspondent for u.s. news and world report and the author of "rebounders." how winners pivot back to success. welcome. thank you for joining me. >> hi, mara. >> before we get to the battles ahead who is the rebounder in the senate deal? >> well, mitch mcconnell looks pretty good. this is the guy who said his main objective prior to 2012 was getting president obama unelected. that didn't happen obviously. he just looked like an obstructionist. now he is playing a productive role getting some things done for the nation. >> now, it looks like in this deal the senate bill punts a lot of things down the road and we could see a debt ceiling debate in the near future. >> yes. >> how can we avoid the kind of brinksmanship we've just seen in the issues we've got moving forward? >> i'm not sure we can avoid it. t
. >>> if the house manages to pass the senate bill on avoiding the fiscal cliff and that remains a big if it will represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the economic challenges facing the president and congress over the next several years. rick newman is chief business correspondent for u.s. news and world report and the author of "rebounders." how winners pivot back to success. welcome. thank you for joining me. >> hi, mara. >> before we get to...
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cliff. and after weeks of negotiations and public posturing, democrats and republicans have reached an agreement on tax rates in their negotiations. let me tell you what we know at this hour. the deal is said to raise $600 billion in revenue over the next decade through a series of tax increases on the wealthiest americans. th bush era tax rates would be text ended for all single americans with incomes below $400,000 and couples with income below 45000$450,000. all income above that would be tacked at 39 pittsburgh.6%. the deal is said to include a permanent fix for the alternative minimum tax and it extends unemployment insurance for another year for 2 million americans. this was huge for the democrats. speaking at the white house in front of a group of middle class americans just a few hours ago, the president urged congress to act immediately. >> for now our most immediate priority is to stop taxes going up for middle class families starting tomorrow. i think that is a modest goal that we
cliff. and after weeks of negotiations and public posturing, democrats and republicans have reached an agreement on tax rates in their negotiations. let me tell you what we know at this hour. the deal is said to raise $600 billion in revenue over the next decade through a series of tax increases on the wealthiest americans. th bush era tax rates would be text ended for all single americans with incomes below $400,000 and couples with income below 45000$450,000. all income above that would be...
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we do have a new congress coming back in. we keep talking about the so-called fiscal cliff. there are consequences for inaction if that countdown clock gets to zero and there's no deal and no deal has been reached. >> jonathan, thank you. to your point, it's remarkable to me that what we're debating is exactly what we were debating six months ago. it's not as though something has happened recently. this is the debate we've been having or the debate we haven't been having making it all the more remarkable that we have a countdown clock for it. thank you. >> that's right. >> a deal on the fiscal cliff may be at hand, but there's still a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it. delaware democratic senator chris kuhns. thank you for taking the time. i want to talk about something first that your colleague tom hashi harken said on the senate floor. let's come back and talk about it. >> it looks like all of the taxes will be made permanent, but all of the other things that the middle class and america really depends on. one year or two years at the most, but the tax system is ma
we do have a new congress coming back in. we keep talking about the so-called fiscal cliff. there are consequences for inaction if that countdown clock gets to zero and there's no deal and no deal has been reached. >> jonathan, thank you. to your point, it's remarkable to me that what we're debating is exactly what we were debating six months ago. it's not as though something has happened recently. this is the debate we've been having or the debate we haven't been having making it all the...
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boehner is going to have a tougher 113th congress without a doubt, and with this fiscal cliff deal, they're going to take it and stretch it to the very end. >> angela, you think republicans are sweating then because a few weeks ago they sounded like they could frame president obama as the bad guy. >> president obama is not the bad guy. you could see this love fest at the press conference this afternoon. american people totally understand and are supporting overwhelmingly what the president has proposed. they want tax cuts for the 98%, not for the top 2%. we've been at a standstill with plan "b" which never was a plan "b" to begin with because we're sacrificing the greater good for such a small minority. >> jimmy and susan, i am going to ask you about the president's press conference and whether you thought it was a bad idea. but when angela was talking, susan, you were shaking your head when she said that the american people are behind the president. >> well, i think right now the american people are frustrated with washington, and that's where that's going to come down. yes, the president
boehner is going to have a tougher 113th congress without a doubt, and with this fiscal cliff deal, they're going to take it and stretch it to the very end. >> angela, you think republicans are sweating then because a few weeks ago they sounded like they could frame president obama as the bad guy. >> president obama is not the bad guy. you could see this love fest at the press conference this afternoon. american people totally understand and are supporting overwhelmingly what the...
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cliff into flux because, as we have been discussing, a brand new congress is sworn in on thursday. the senate has said they're not likely to take up anything the house does to begin with and if the new congress is sworn in, the legislative slate is wiped clean and we start over. and there is mayhem and chaos surrounding markets and anger, if there can be any more anger and frustration toward washington because people's paychecks will be checked at a higher rate. let's review what's happened in the last ten days. john boehner and eric cantor put their plan "b" on a friday on the floor 69 house of representatives. it set the income threshold at $1 million over which you would be taxed at a higher rate. they wanted to do that because you simply can't beat something with nothing. they wanted to have something to send over to the senate to negotiate with in addition to what they had sent over last summer which was pretty much a nonstarter that they had recognized. that crashed and burned and went down in flames at which point john boehner said, look, it's up to the senate. they can nego
cliff into flux because, as we have been discussing, a brand new congress is sworn in on thursday. the senate has said they're not likely to take up anything the house does to begin with and if the new congress is sworn in, the legislative slate is wiped clean and we start over. and there is mayhem and chaos surrounding markets and anger, if there can be any more anger and frustration toward washington because people's paychecks will be checked at a higher rate. let's review what's happened in...
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. >> we're in the home stretch for the fiscal cliff, but is there still hope? sheldon whitehouse and jan schakowsky will have the latest ton high-stakes meeting at the white house. and the sad shame of this year's do-nothing congress. the gun violence continues in chicago. tonight, the reverend jesse jackson on the city's grim milestone of 500 homicides in one year. and it's nearly 2013, but attitudes on race remain two centuries behind. >> the way i look at it, it's freedom of speech. >> the reverend marcia dyson, and the president of the national urban league on the bigotry of the supposed post-racial america. >>> with three days left before the start of the new year, it's put up or shut up time for congressional leaders. president obama addressed reporters from the white house this evening. roughly an hour after meeting with leaders of the house and senate. >> i still want to get this done. it's the right thing to do for our families, for our businesses, and for our entire economy. but the hour for immediate action is here. it is now. >> senate leaders harry
. >> we're in the home stretch for the fiscal cliff, but is there still hope? sheldon whitehouse and jan schakowsky will have the latest ton high-stakes meeting at the white house. and the sad shame of this year's do-nothing congress. the gun violence continues in chicago. tonight, the reverend jesse jackson on the city's grim milestone of 500 homicides in one year. and it's nearly 2013, but attitudes on race remain two centuries behind. >> the way i look at it, it's freedom of...
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not with the fiscal cliff. luckily for you, we here at "the rachel maddow show," we have been paying attention. we have had absolutely no other choice, unfortunately. and we are here to help you and everyone else trying to figure out how we got to this point we are in. right after that election, the day after the election, in fact, your new colleagues got to work immediately on the cliff. the day after the collection, republican house speaker john boehner put out this stirring call to action. >> mr. president, this is your moment. we're ready to be led. not as democrats or republicans but as americans. we want you to lead. not as a liberal or conservative but as president of the united states of america. >> mr. president, we are ready to be led. just show us the plan. that was encouraging. that seemed like we were going to have a deal, no problem. obama won the election. he'll hand them a plan. he'll make some small changes. that's how congress works, of course. pass it and we'll be done. we'll go home for chri
not with the fiscal cliff. luckily for you, we here at "the rachel maddow show," we have been paying attention. we have had absolutely no other choice, unfortunately. and we are here to help you and everyone else trying to figure out how we got to this point we are in. right after that election, the day after the election, in fact, your new colleagues got to work immediately on the cliff. the day after the collection, republican house speaker john boehner put out this stirring call to...
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cliff. good evening. i'm richard lui. you're watching the standoff in washington, d.c. the house gop is meeting at this hour for the second time today. leadership and members are discussing how to move forward on a bill they say need to include spending cuts. house speaker john boehner and eric cantor arrived at the meeting together. but it was cantor who set off the storm earlier today just hours ago by announcing he could not support the senate bill that was approved this morning at 2:00 a.m. house democratic leader nancy pelosi attempted to put pressure on tonight. she posted this on twitter saying quote, strong majority of house democrats support the bipartisan senate bill that passed 89-8. confident it will pass and speaker boehner allows an up or down vote. and republicans like congressman jack kingston of georgia blame the senate for a hastily written bill. >> it was way past those senators' bedtime. they were blurry eyed when they were reading it. we're trying to fill in the gap wher
cliff. good evening. i'm richard lui. you're watching the standoff in washington, d.c. the house gop is meeting at this hour for the second time today. leadership and members are discussing how to move forward on a bill they say need to include spending cuts. house speaker john boehner and eric cantor arrived at the meeting together. but it was cantor who set off the storm earlier today just hours ago by announcing he could not support the senate bill that was approved this morning at 2:00 a.m....
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cliff. >> both want to go over the cliff? who will get blamed. >> i think republicans will get blamed but i think republicans at this point fear casting a career-threatening vote to raise taxes instead of waiting four days and letting the cliff -- >> and then they can technically say -- >> they're voting for a tax cut. >> do they presume the voters are that dumb? they think there's a difference? they might think that. >> they might. >> do they think the voters are that dumb to think three days difference in how you vote with the exact same result exonerates for having been an apostate on the hard world tea party. >> i think a lot of the republicans aren't worried about the general voter at large or what the national polls say -- >> only their base is stupid. they think only their base is stupid is what you're saying? >> they're worried about a primary on the right -- >> why would -- >> i don't want a democrat coming at me -- >> i know all that. let's get to the bottom line. they are arguing
cliff. >> both want to go over the cliff? who will get blamed. >> i think republicans will get blamed but i think republicans at this point fear casting a career-threatening vote to raise taxes instead of waiting four days and letting the cliff -- >> and then they can technically say -- >> they're voting for a tax cut. >> do they presume the voters are that dumb? they think there's a difference? they might think that. >> they might. >> do they think the...
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it the fiscal cliff. [ speaking foreign language ] >> john boehner seems to care more about keeping his speakership than about keeping the nation on firm financial footing. >> let's take the american people out of the line of fire in terms of taxes. >> it's being operated with a dictatorship of the speaker. >> i have never known john boehner not to have a plan. >> it seems pretty dark right now. >> it looks like there's no way there's going to be any deal done. >> so i say to the speaker, take the escape hatch we've left you. >> we're not going to get anything done that doesn't involve some measure of compromise. >> it's not 100% sure that's going to work any longer, and now that we know how fanatical the fanatics are. >> it's like blah, blah, blah. >>> a very busy day here in washington and we want to take you right to the senate floor where senator mitch mcconnell is actually speaking about the fiscal cliff. let's take a listen. >> we'll see what the president has to propose. members on both sides of the aisle will review it, and then we'll decide how best to proceed. hopefully, there
it the fiscal cliff. [ speaking foreign language ] >> john boehner seems to care more about keeping his speakership than about keeping the nation on firm financial footing. >> let's take the american people out of the line of fire in terms of taxes. >> it's being operated with a dictatorship of the speaker. >> i have never known john boehner not to have a plan. >> it seems pretty dark right now. >> it looks like there's no way there's going to be any deal...
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we're one day away from what most media are calling the fiscal cliff. if political concoction enacted by congress to frighten itself into passing deficit reduction measures which means unless congress acts in the next 48 hours the bush tax cuts will expire along with federal unemployment insurance and a broad package of the spending cuts including defense spending will take effect. do weeks of fruitless negotiations and john boehner and senate leader are working on a deal this morning to avoid the fiscal cliff, or as chris hayes and i call it, the fiscal curve. the deadline is soft. it's not like every american is going to be handed a bill on january 1st and there's way to manage the damage if the country goes over. the senate is set to convene this afternoon with the house to follow tonight. there's a chance that a compromise will be reached, less than 48 hours before tax rates revert to their clinton dasher are levels and board across the board spending cuts talk effect. when the president took to the podium friday afternoon to urge the law enforcemen
we're one day away from what most media are calling the fiscal cliff. if political concoction enacted by congress to frighten itself into passing deficit reduction measures which means unless congress acts in the next 48 hours the bush tax cuts will expire along with federal unemployment insurance and a broad package of the spending cuts including defense spending will take effect. do weeks of fruitless negotiations and john boehner and senate leader are working on a deal this morning to avoid...
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most of the focus on the fiscal cliff debate has been on the issue of tax increases for the wealthiest americans. but the matter of -- the fact of the matter is unemployed americans will be the ones hardest hit come january 1st if congress fails to act. the great senator bernie sanders of vermont is calling for action. >> we must not fail the unemployed workers of this country now. if congress does not act, it will mean that some 2 million people and their families will really be at a loss as to how to survive economically. >> if an unemployment extension is not included in the fiscal cliff deal, 2.1 million americans will face an immediate loss in federal unemployment insurance. it will result in a cut of $284 a week for the average beneficiary. and that's a lot of dough for the average american. it's important to keep in mind the unemployment cliff is really a cliff, urban a slope. tax increases and other spending cuts will fall into place over time. but not with unemployment insurance. unemployment americans who rely on federal aid will be cut off on january 1st, 2013. however, ther
most of the focus on the fiscal cliff debate has been on the issue of tax increases for the wealthiest americans. but the matter of -- the fact of the matter is unemployed americans will be the ones hardest hit come january 1st if congress fails to act. the great senator bernie sanders of vermont is calling for action. >> we must not fail the unemployed workers of this country now. if congress does not act, it will mean that some 2 million people and their families will really be at a...
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cliff. >> well, first of all, as a former jazz bassist i have to appreciate the citing of "so what" because that's a bass feature. look, i've got to say. going over the cliff at this point i think is better than accepting a bad deal, and i don't think that we should operate from the perspective that going over the cliff temporarily must be avoided at all costs because a short trip over the cliff, what you might think of as a bungee jump, is a lot better in the longer term both for the economy and for deficit reduction than crafting a deal at the very last minute that would be just some kind of an ugly frankenstein. now, the -- the worst part about going over the cliff is that a couple of million people actually lose their unemployment benefits, so i don't want to say that it's painless because it's not, but it -- it does -- there is a scenario by which you could reverse all of the -- most of the tax increases pretty quickly, and, remember, after december 31st midnight, if you're a republican
cliff. >> well, first of all, as a former jazz bassist i have to appreciate the citing of "so what" because that's a bass feature. look, i've got to say. going over the cliff at this point i think is better than accepting a bad deal, and i don't think that we should operate from the perspective that going over the cliff temporarily must be avoided at all costs because a short trip over the cliff, what you might think of as a bungee jump, is a lot better in the longer term both...
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if not for the so-called fiscal cliff debate they're trying to strike a deal on. that would be also on other legislation that would come up with 113th congress. democrats want to ensure they have 55 votes when the 113th congress begins on january 3rd. >> senior political editor mark murray for us on this thursday, appreciate it, sir. >> thank you, craig. >>> outrage of russian president vladimir putin's decision to sign a bill to block americans from adopting russian children and a video of a squarm bursting in a shopping mall. details on that story around the "news nation." [ male announcer ] eligible for medicare? that's a good thing, but it doesn't cover everything. only about 80% of your part b medical expenses. the rest is up to you. so consider an aarp medicare supplement insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. like all standardized medicare supplement plans, they pick up some of what medicare doesn't pay. and save you up to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. call today to request a free decision guide to help you better unde
if not for the so-called fiscal cliff debate they're trying to strike a deal on. that would be also on other legislation that would come up with 113th congress. democrats want to ensure they have 55 votes when the 113th congress begins on january 3rd. >> senior political editor mark murray for us on this thursday, appreciate it, sir. >> thank you, craig. >>> outrage of russian president vladimir putin's decision to sign a bill to block americans from adopting russian...
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cliff. will a shift too the senate save the day? then paradise lost. will president obama leave hawaii behind the day after christmas if a deal is in the works and the election hangover. new comments from one of mitt romney's sons that you might describe as puzzling. what do they really mean? and the gun battle rages on. new reports on why nothing may get done even after the sandy hook tragedy. >>> a massive tax hike and spending cuts -- republicans and democrats continue to point fingers in opposite directions, hinting that talks could go into the new year. >> are we going over the cliff? >> i believe we are, and i think the president is eager to go over the cliff for political purposes. he senses a victory at the bottom of the cliff. >> we only have nine days left here. when are we going to get serious about actual solutions? i would welcome john to tell me. he says he wants a solution. give us one, john. >> meanwhile, president obama is spending christmas in hawaii where he and the first
cliff. will a shift too the senate save the day? then paradise lost. will president obama leave hawaii behind the day after christmas if a deal is in the works and the election hangover. new comments from one of mitt romney's sons that you might describe as puzzling. what do they really mean? and the gun battle rages on. new reports on why nothing may get done even after the sandy hook tragedy. >>> a massive tax hike and spending cuts -- republicans and democrats continue to point...
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numbers one and two this year are fiscal cliff and kick the can down the road. now, regardless of today's outcome is the damage already done for congress? whether they come up with a small deal or not here when it comes to the american people, they've already decided congress is useless. >> well, i think those of us who tried to function over the last couple years in congress have been saying that. we can't figure out who even the 10%, who support congress, are. we are totally dysfunctional right now and this is just probably the worst example of it. you know, i heard speaker boehner say a number of times that he doesn't believe in compromise and a lot of republicans say the same thing. they say let's find common ground and act on that. well, there just isn't much common ground. if, in fact, the numbers we're hearing about the senate deal, whether $450,000 threshold or $550,000, that is not a matter of principle. that's just a matter of policy and splitting hairs and differences of dollars. so i think unfortunately we've got a lot of people on the other side of
numbers one and two this year are fiscal cliff and kick the can down the road. now, regardless of today's outcome is the damage already done for congress? whether they come up with a small deal or not here when it comes to the american people, they've already decided congress is useless. >> well, i think those of us who tried to function over the last couple years in congress have been saying that. we can't figure out who even the 10%, who support congress, are. we are totally...
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just days before the country falls off the so-called fiscal cliff, president obama will depart honolulu later tonight. the president and congress now have just six days to reach a new year's
just days before the country falls off the so-called fiscal cliff, president obama will depart honolulu later tonight. the president and congress now have just six days to reach a new year's